Old soldiers who had witnessed bloody scenes and had lost comrades in action, stood beside children, too young to have ever known the horrors of war. They shared little in experience but held one common aim - to fulfil the promise: 'we will remember them'.

For the last time this century young and old, pictured, stood together in silent tribute, to remember the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts.

Hundreds turned out on Remembrance Sunday to join poignant open air services which annually unite the nation.

In Preston, The Lancastrian Brigade Band and Corps of Drums accompanied members of the Army Volunteer Reserve, Preston Sea Cadets and Army Cadet Force, in the Remembrance Day Parade past Sessions House and onto the Flag Market, in front of the Harris Museum.

They were followed by police, fire and prison officers, and representatives of the St John Ambulance Brigade, British Red Cross Society. The procession was completed with local ex-servicemen, proudly wearing their berets and medals.

Preston Mayor, Councillor Geoff Swarbrick and his wife Jean, led the town's aldermen to the Cenotaph for the war memorial service, along with the mayoral chaplain the Reverend Martyn Griffiths.

The Right Rev Monsignor Cannon Peter Verity represented the Roman Catholic Church at the ecumenical service and the Rev Derek North stood for members of Methodists Churches.

As the last post was sounded, standards were lowered for the two minute silence and the crowd bowed their heads to remember the war dead.

At the close of the National Anthem, the mayor laid the first wreath on the memorial followed by other civic dignitaries, members of the Armed Forces, Royal British Legion and police. Further wreaths were laid by representatives from more than 40 associations.

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